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Post by halblingefrau on Aug 29, 2010 1:32:17 GMT -5
Well the soup is always gone when I get up in the morning (we feed before we go to bed and leave overnight). I don't know how fast they are eating, but they definitely eat it all. I'm not sure how large my portions are so I'm going to weigh out the newly defrosted one and go from there. The only time soup was left was when I didn't mix the thick mush with water, but even then it was gone by the time I got back from work. So they eat it slower when it's that thick.
I'm going to see if I can find anyone who will sell me some raw duck. My kids LOVE the freeze dried duck. I might have to stick with it freeze dried but I'd love to see their faces when they tuck in to some lovely raw duck meat.
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Post by sherrylynne on Aug 29, 2010 10:33:58 GMT -5
That sounds good. I'd also start "pushing the envelope" now, as it were. Start making the mush a wee bit thicker every couple of days by adding less and less water, til they are used to the thick mush.
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Post by halblingefrau on Aug 30, 2010 16:14:02 GMT -5
Added a little less water and they chowed right down. Tonight I'm not going to add any water, but I'm going to mash up the soup so it's not a solid chunk. If they're cool with that, then I'm going to start mixing in chunks of chicken. Hopefully Ash won't stash it all!
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Post by sherrylynne on Aug 30, 2010 22:37:55 GMT -5
Wonderful!!! If he does try to pig it all, try using two separate dishes. That works wonders with mine!
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Post by halblingefrau on Aug 31, 2010 12:03:48 GMT -5
I am going to give Ash a separate dish. Last night we had a bit of a soup-cicle since we forgot to put it in the fridge until a little too late. It was semi-soft so I put it in the cage. The other two licked at the thawed bits and ate them, but Ash chomped the frozen soupie like it was ice cream! I think he ate most of it, so I gave the other two a generous scooping of ziwipeak.
Going to thaw out some chicken backs tonight and use the kitchen shears to cut up the meat. See if they go for it. I'm out of soupie and soupie making ingredients so we're going to try the chunks for tonight until I get to the store tomorrow.
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Post by sherrylynne on Aug 31, 2010 21:14:40 GMT -5
Just chop them up small, and leave in the cage overnight. It can't hurt! You may have to chop them even smaller in the morning if they haven't eaten anything, but it's worth a shot.
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Post by halblingefrau on Sept 1, 2010 12:08:36 GMT -5
Asher ate and stashed. The others decided they'd rather not eat them. I got some bone-in skin on breasts yesterday so I'm going to cut meat off those and give them mixed in with soupie tonight.
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Post by sherrylynne on Sept 1, 2010 20:51:28 GMT -5
Right now, they are at a point where they are likely going to give you trouble over it. Just keep on with adding in tiny pieces, just a wee bit larger than ground. Mix them well into the soup they accept already. It might take a few days for them to take it, and you may even have to pop a couple pieces in their mouths, but they WILL start taking them.
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Post by halblingefrau on Sept 2, 2010 14:39:43 GMT -5
We're traveling with the ferts this weekend so this should be interesting. I am almost out of ziwipeak too. I have some soupies frozen in little rubbermaid cups that I am going to bring along to my mom's house. I figure they can deal with eating soupie and kibble this weekend. I'll have to start adding the chunked chicken when we get home. Also, I need to order more ziwipeak. They eat completely raw now if I use the commercial stuff. The more I can get them to eat fresh meats though, the cheaper it'll be for me!
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Post by sherrylynne on Sept 2, 2010 18:36:46 GMT -5
That's for sure! You know- if you're mom trims any of the meat at supper, they just might be a little more willing to try something new in a new place. Minced up, of course
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Post by halblingefrau on Sept 3, 2010 5:15:16 GMT -5
Well all of them love fat. When I gave cut up chicken backs, while the pieces were too big to interest them, they did manage to chew off the exterior fat. I'll have mom trim the steaks she's making tomorrow and we'll give them a fatty yummy treat!
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Post by sherrylynne on Sept 3, 2010 9:08:44 GMT -5
That might just be the way to go with your crew, you know. Fat's easy for them to chew, and at the same time- they learn HOW to chew
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Post by halblingefrau on Sept 4, 2010 23:24:30 GMT -5
They had some pork today and didn't like it. However, I must report that Asher is a wine-man. He wouldn't leave my mom alone! We had to cage him while she had a glass of wine b/c he wouldn't stop trying to get it. *sigh*
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Post by sherrylynne on Sept 5, 2010 10:12:22 GMT -5
That sounds oh, so familiar!!! Mine always try to go for the booze. If you ever have a rum and coke while they are out, watch out Or a Bailey's Irish Cream Sinnead was quite literally jumping, grabbing hubby's arm in midair, hanging on while trying to scramble up said arm that was holding the glass One thing I'd like you to start doing as well. I've found it's really helpful to have a "food diary". I don't do it all the time, maybe 3-4 times a year, for a week or so. What you do is keep track of not only WHAT you've fed them, but how much they've actually eaten of it. So, Monday morning's entry would be: 4oz chicken mush given. All but 1 tsp eaten. As they get onto bone and organ meat, it will help you to not only keep track of how much they are taking in, but you get into the habit of watching who's eating what.
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Post by halblingefrau on Sept 5, 2010 17:28:18 GMT -5
When you feed do you stay to watch who is eating? I haven't been doing that a ton. Just checking to make sure I've seen each one munching on the soupie (sometimes Loki won't go for it until everyone else is done). I could try separating them to feed so I knew exactly who was eating what but I think separating them would get them all curious and not wanting to eat.
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